Some TV shows leave such a lasting mark that even the actors who starred in them can’t let go. From beloved sitcoms to teen dramas, many fan-favorite series have ended too soon or simply deserve a fresh chapter.
Fans aren’t the only ones dreaming of a comeback — the stars themselves are pushing for it. Here are 20 TV actors who are ready to step back into their iconic roles.
1. John Krasinski – The Office
Jim Halpert’s signature smirk and camera glances made John Krasinski a household name. Krasinski has openly said he would love to come back to Dunder Mifflin if a reboot of The Office ever moved forward.
The original series ended in 2013, but its popularity on streaming has never faded. Fans still quote it daily, and Krasinski’s enthusiasm for returning only fuels the excitement.
A reboot with him on board would feel like a warm, familiar hug.
2. Dave Foley – NewsRadio
NewsRadio was a sharp, underrated workplace comedy that ran from 1995 to 1999, and Dave Foley was at the center of it all. He played news director Dave Nelson with a dry wit that fans still adore.
Foley has made it clear he would happily return if the show were picked up again. The world of broadcast news has changed so much since the 90s, which makes the idea of a modern reboot even more interesting and timely.
3. Anthony Head – Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Not every original cast member has been on board with a Buffy reboot, but Anthony Head is a clear exception. The British actor, who played beloved librarian Rupert Giles, has stated he is open to returning.
His character was the heart and wisdom behind the Scooby Gang for years. Head’s willingness to return adds serious credibility to any potential revival.
Giles without his tweed jacket and stack of ancient books just wouldn’t feel right anyway.
4. Zachary Levi – Chuck
“Totally up for a reboot” — those were Zachary Levi’s own words about bringing Chuck back to television. The spy comedy ran from 2007 to 2012 and built a devoted fanbase that never quite moved on.
Levi played Chuck Bartowski, an everyday guy who accidentally downloaded a government supercomputer into his brain. That premise is just as fun today as it was back then.
His passion for the show makes a comeback feel less like a dream and more like a matter of when.
5. Hilary Duff – Lizzie McGuire
Hilary Duff didn’t just want a Lizzie McGuire reboot — she actively fought for one. The actress tried multiple times to get a revival off the ground, and a Disney+ version was even in development before falling apart over creative differences.
Duff wanted an honest, grown-up version of Lizzie’s story, not a watered-down retread. Her dedication showed real love for the character and the fans who grew up watching her.
Many of those fans are still waiting and hoping.
6. Frankie Muniz – Malcolm in the Middle
Malcolm in the Middle was one of the most creative family comedies of the early 2000s, and Frankie Muniz is all for bringing it back. The show followed a genius kid stuck in a wonderfully messy family, and Muniz played Malcolm with natural charm and comedy.
A reboot could explore Malcolm as an adult, perhaps raising his own chaotic household. Muniz’s support for the idea, alongside Bryan Cranston’s, makes this one of the more likely revivals fans could actually see happen.
7. David Spade – Just Shoot Me!
Just Shoot Me! ran for seven seasons and gave David Spade one of his best TV roles as snarky writer Dennis Finch. Spade has said he would love to reprise the character in a reboot.
The show was set inside a fashion magazine, which is a world that has changed dramatically in the age of social media and influencers. That cultural shift alone gives a potential reboot tons of fresh material.
Spade’s razor-sharp humor would fit perfectly in today’s media landscape.
8. Rachel Bilson – The O.C.
Rachel Bilson has been vocal about wanting The O.C. back, though she has one key condition: Mischa Barton needs to return too. Without Marissa Cooper, Bilson feels a reboot wouldn’t capture the full spirit of the original.
The O.C. defined a generation of teen drama fans when it aired in the early 2000s. Bilson’s character Summer Roberts was witty, stylish, and deeply lovable.
Her enthusiasm, paired with her thoughtful conditions, shows she cares about getting a revival right.
9. Bryan Cranston – Malcolm in the Middle
Before Breaking Bad made him a dramatic powerhouse, Bryan Cranston was Hal, the lovably clueless dad on Malcolm in the Middle. Cranston has said he would like to see the show rebooted, and fans everywhere cheered.
Watching Hal as a grandfather navigating a whole new generation of chaos sounds like comedy gold. Cranston clearly has a soft spot for the role, and pairing his return with Frankie Muniz would make any reboot feel authentic and worth watching.
10. Kelsey Grammer – Frasier
Kelsey Grammer didn’t just talk about a Frasier reboot — he actually made it happen. After years of working behind the scenes to bring the show back, a revival series finally premiered in 2023 with Grammer returning as the lovably pretentious Dr. Frasier Crane.
The original Frasier ran for 11 seasons and won a record-breaking 37 Emmy Awards. Grammer’s persistence paid off, and the new series has introduced the beloved character to a whole new generation of viewers.
11. Jennifer Aniston – Friends
Jennifer Aniston once said she “fantasizes” about a Friends reboot, which sent the internet into a full meltdown of excitement. Rachel Green remains one of the most iconic TV characters ever created, and Aniston played her with effortless charm.
Friends ended in 2004 but never really left the cultural conversation. A full scripted reboot would be a massive event for television.
Aniston’s honesty about missing the show and her castmates makes fans believe it could someday actually happen.
12. Tim Allen – Home Improvement
Home Improvement ran from 1991 to 1999 and made Tim Allen one of the biggest TV stars of the decade. He played Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor, a TV host with a passion for power and a habit of causing accidents.
Fans have long dreamed of a reboot, and Allen’s connection to the role runs deep. With his kids from the show now grown up, a modern revival could explore Tim as a grandfather passing down his questionable DIY wisdom to a new generation.
13. Jerry Seinfeld – Seinfeld
Jerry Seinfeld has hinted that a Seinfeld reboot isn’t entirely off the table, which is basically a five-alarm fire of excitement for comedy fans. The original show, often called “a show about nothing,” became one of the greatest sitcoms in TV history.
Seinfeld, Costanza, Elaine, and Kramer navigating today’s world of smartphones and social media would be absolutely wild to watch. Seinfeld’s own stand-up career proves he still has the comedic sharpness to pull it off brilliantly.
14. Zach Braff – Scrubs
Zach Braff is officially attached to an upcoming Scrubs revival, making him one of the few actors on this list who has moved from wishing to actually doing. He played J.D., the daydreaming intern whose inner monologue narrated the whole show.
Scrubs was unlike any other medical comedy — emotional, silly, and surprisingly deep all at once. Braff returning to Sacred Heart Hospital alongside his original castmates is the kind of reunion that feels genuinely earned and exciting for longtime fans.
15. Donald Faison – Scrubs
Turk and J.D.’s legendary bromance is coming back. Donald Faison, who played Christopher Turk on Scrubs, is also confirmed to be part of the upcoming revival alongside Zach Braff and Sarah Chalke.
Faison brought endless energy and warmth to the show, and his friendship with Braff on and off screen made their characters feel completely real. Watching them navigate life as older doctors rather than wide-eyed interns is a storyline fans have been quietly hoping for since the show ended in 2010.
16. Sarah Chalke – Scrubs
Sarah Chalke rounds out the core trio returning for the Scrubs revival. She played Dr. Elliot Reid, a neurotic overachiever who became one of the show’s most beloved characters over its nine-season run.
Chalke’s comedic timing and emotional range made Elliot feel like a real person rather than just a TV character. Having all three leads — Braff, Faison, and Chalke — confirmed for the revival gives it a strong foundation.
Fans have every reason to be genuinely optimistic about this one.
17. Tony Danza – Who’s the Boss?
Tony Danza didn’t just express interest in a Who’s the Boss? revival — he went ahead and made it happen. Danza returned to reprise his role as Tony Micelli in a reboot of the classic 80s sitcom alongside Alyssa Milano.
The original show ran from 1984 to 1992 and was a staple of ABC’s primetime lineup. Seeing Tony Micelli decades later, with the family dynamics completely flipped, gave the revival a clever and heartfelt angle that honored the original while feeling fresh.
18. Ed O’Neill – Married… with Children
Al Bundy is one of TV’s all-time great grumpy dads, and Ed O’Neill is ready to put the shoes back on — literally. O’Neill, along with the other three Bundy actors, signed contracts agreeing to reprise their roles for an animated reboot of Married… with Children.
The original series ran from 1987 to 1997 and was famously edgy for its time. An animated format gives the creative team more freedom to push boundaries, which feels like the right move for a show that was always a little outrageous.
19. Gary Lucy – Footballers’ Wives
Footballers’ Wives was a gloriously dramatic British series that aired from 2002 to 2006, packed with scandal, glamour, and soap opera twists. Gary Lucy, who played striker Kyle Pascoe, has said they are actively “trying to bring it back.”
Lucy confirmed he will “definitely” be involved in some capacity if the reboot moves forward. Given how much the world of professional football has changed since the mid-2000s, a modern version of the show would have no shortage of wild, ripped-from-the-headlines storylines to explore.
20. Debra Messing – Will & Grace
Will & Grace already proved that a reboot can work beautifully when the original cast is fully committed. Debra Messing returned as Grace Adler when the show was revived in 2017, and the reunion was warmly received by both critics and fans.
The original series ran from 1998 to 2006 and was groundbreaking for its portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters in a mainstream sitcom. Messing’s willingness to return showed her genuine love for Grace and the show’s legacy.
The revival ran three more seasons before wrapping up in 2020.